May Day protests kick off worldwide

Filipino activists and workers burn an effigy of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and US Uncle Sam during a protest rally marking International Labor Day outside the gate of Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines, on May 1. Thousands of Filipino workers hold Labor Day protests in Manila calling on Philippines President Benigno Aquino III for an immediate wage hike due to increasing cost of living.

Ulas Yunus Tosun / EPA

Protestors clash with Turkish riot police during the May Day rally in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish police and protesters clashed in central Istanbul on May 1 after authorities moved to prohibit traditional Labour Day rallies at Taksim Square. Police used water cannons and tear gas against the demonstrators near Taksim Square. Witnesses reported clashes in several neighbourhoods in the area.

Ozan Kose / AFP - Getty Images

Masked policemen take cover behind shields during clashes at a May Day demonstration on May 1, in Istanbul.

Bulent Kilic / AFP - Getty Images

Protestors chant slogans as they stand at the windows of the DISK ( Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Turkey) building on May 1, in Istanbul. Several people were injured on Wednesday as Turkish riot police used water canon and tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters who defied a May Day ban on demonstrations in a central part of Istanbul.

Daniel Hjort / AP

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, is met with strong protests during her May Day speech on May 1 at Tangkroen in Aarhus, Denmark.

Aris Messinis / AFP - Getty Images

Demonstrators raise their fists during a demonstration on May 1. A strike stopped ferry services to the Greek islands and disrupted public transport in the capital Athens ahead of May Day protests Wednesday against Greece's prolonged economic austerity policies.

Jeon Heon-kyun / EPA

South Korean riot policemen spray tear gas at protesters during a rally marking 123th World Labor Day in Seoul, South Korea on May 1. The protesters attended the demonstration demanding an improvement of working conditions for temporary workers.

Sergei Chirikov / EPA

An elderly Russian Stalinist stands in front of a column of demonstrators with a portrait of Stalin during a traditional May Day communist demonstration, in Moscow, Russia. People from around the world are marking May 1 (May Day) as International Labour Day.